Tim Wakefield | Starting Pitcher

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Recent News

Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports that Tim Wakefield has decided to retire.

He'll officially announce his retirement at a press conference later Friday. Wakefield, 45, played 19 major league seasons and retires with an even 200 wins to go along with a 4.41 ERA and 1.35 WHIP for the Pirates and Red Sox. He wanted to return to the Sox for a 20th season, but they weren't willing to offer him a deal and the knuckleballer has decided to hang up his cleats rather than accept a minor league deal elsewhere. Fri, Feb 17, 2012 11:41:00 AM

Tim Wakefield's agent, Barry Meister, told Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald on Thursday that the knuckleballer will make a decision within the next few days whether he'll continue his playing career in 2012.

"We’re discussing the options — and he has some options — and over the next few days, we’re going to try to figure it out," said Meister. "These next few days is just a period of introspection, where he’s trying to decide what to do, whether to play, who to play for." Wakefield has made it clear that he would like to pitch one more season in Boston, but it doesn't appear as though the interest is mutual. Meister said Wednesday that his client hasn't ruled anything out, including possibly accepting a minor league deal with a spring training invite. The 45-year-old compiled a 5.12 ERA and 93/47 K/BB ratio over 154 2/3 innings last year. Thu, Feb 9, 2012 11:22:00 AM

Tim Wakefield told John Torres of FloridaToday.com that retirement is "something that my wife and I need to talk about."

"I just saw that (Jorge) Posada retired, you know it’s something that my wife and I need to talk about," Wakefield said. "I’d probably need to talk about it with my kids, too. Ultimately, I would like to obviously play for the Boston Red Sox for one more year and see where it goes." It seems like the 45-year-old will only continue playing if the Red Sox give him the opportunity, and at this point it doesn't appear that the team is super anxious to bring him back. Wakefield posted a 5.12 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 93/47 K/BB ratio in 154 2/3 innings last season. Sun, Jan 29, 2012 01:09:00 PM

Tim Wakefield recently told Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe that he has a "strong desire to pitch one more year for the Red Sox."

Wakefield wouldn't rule out a move to the National League, but made it clear that he wants to finish his career in Boston. The interest isn't likely to be mutual. General manager Ben Cherington has been noncommittal when discussing the situation, saying only that the team owed it to him to explain exactly what role he could fill next season. Sat, Dec 3, 2011 11:31:00 AM

Depth Charts

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times mentioned Blake Swihart as a possible trade target for the Rays.

The Rays were known to be interested in Jason Castro before he signed a three-year, $24.5 million deal with Minnesota earlier this month. With Castro off the market, the Rays are likely to explore trade options at catcher. One possibility is Swihart, who could be expendable now that Sandy Leon has emerged as Boston's everyday catcher. Swihart was playing left field when he hurt his ankle last season, though the Red Sox claim he'll enter spring training as a catcher.

Updating an earlier report, the Giants have not discussed trading for Pablo Sandoval, according to MLB.com's Chris Haft.

Evan Drellich of the Boston Herald reported Friday that the Giants were considering trying to acquire Sandoval from the Red Sox but Haft said that isn't the case. The Giants are content with starting Eduardo Nunez at third base and are focused on upgrading at closer. GM Bobby Evans confirmed that Sandoval is not on the team's radar. "I’m not aware of any consideration of a reunion, but we’ll never forget all that he meant to the Giants organization," said Evans. Coming off shoulder surgery, Sandoval will presumably compete with Travis Shaw and Brock Holt for the starting job third base job in Boston this spring.

Mookie Betts underwent a successful right knee arthroscopy, chondroplasty and a loose body removal on Thursday.

Betts battled soreness in the knee throughout the second half, making his .338/.388/.547 batting line with 13 home runs and 54 RBI after the break all the more impressive. He's expected to be ready to go for the start of spring training, although it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Red Sox ease him into things.

Workman missed the entire 2016 season while rehabbing from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery. He should be ready for the start of spring training in 2017, but the 28-year-old right-hander is going to have to prove himself worthy of a spot in the Boston bullpen.

Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Tuesday that Carson Smith (elbow) could be ready by June 1 next year.

Smith underwent Tommy John surgery back in May, so the Red Sox are aiming for his return at a little over 12 months. The 27-year-old reliever owns a dominant 2.00 ERA and 104/26 K/BB ratio in 81 career innings and could be quite the weapon if he comes back healthy, but regaining full strength can often take closer to 15 months.